I recently came across a series of articles written by Captain Ernst Olferman of the 97th Foot for The Royal Military Panorama, or Officers' Companion in late 1813 to early 1814. Olferman was a brigade major in the Light Division and then the 4th and 7th Divisions late 1810 into early 1811. The articles present a series of movements for a brigade field-day, taking them through scenarios such as advancing towards the enemy, receiving cavalry and withdrawing etc. They go into the depth of detail that you don't get in accounts of battles and as he expressly says he came up with them in the Peninsula I think they do offer some insight into how Wellington's army may have manoeuvred, more so than the manuals of the day.
For your convenience I have extracted the pages into one PDF. The original issues of the magazine from October 1813 through to February 1814 can be found on google books. I've attached the file to this post.
A very interesting find. Thanks!
Brigade squares. I have never heard of the British using them in the Peninsula. A good read but quite hard to follow in places. Paul.
I take it Rob this is the same chap who took over command of the Brunswickers on the death of the Duke at Quatre Bras?
I believe so, yes. I remember a thread about him on the Napoleon Series forum.
His name would be Johann Elias Olfermann - in case it is the identical person. He indeed served in the 97th of Foot, there exists even an Olfermann monument in Germany.
If I remember he had an interesting career, musician to bandmaster, adjutant, ADC and National Corps Commander.
An excellent find which adds a lot of detail to how a Brigade operated in the field, particularly its light companies. I liked his comment that forming in three ranks was “quite abolished”.
Rod